Weight distributing truck bed attachment



July 5,1960 L. 5. m5 2,943,865

WEIGHT DISTRIBUTING TRUCK BED ATTACHMENT Filed March 25, 1958 Fi I 92 I l Luther s. Fife INVENTOR.

\- B amm Sheets-Shee t 1 July 5, 1960 L s. F": 2,943,865

WEIGHT DISTRIBUTING TRUCK BED ATTACHMENT Filed March 25, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.2 5? 36 40 42 lm 52 34 V I0 UIVLOA0 Luther 5. F ife ZNVENTOR.

BY ym, zyyw States Patent This invention relates generally to a truck bed attachment .and more particularly to an attachment for truck beds utilized for distributing the weight of a loadedbed bver'a greater number of wheels than the distributed weight of an unloaded bed. I

In the trucking industry it is often desirable to utilize.

a greaternumber of wheels for more evenly distributing the weight load when the truck'bed is loaded than when the bed'is unloaded. That is, extrawheels on an unloadedu'uck would add to the drag and inefiiciency and of course, operating costs of the truck. I

'l' invention relates to an equalizing arrangement or device between a live or driving axle and an auxiliary or towed axle. An equalizing bar is pivotally connected to a truck bed intermediate its end portions and is pivotally and terminally retained proximate the live axle. The pivotal connection proximate the live axle is positioned so as to be lower than the pivotal connection to the truck bed when the bed is unloaded. This construction elevates one end of the equalizing bar. This elevated end carries the towed axle which in turn carries a pair of rotatably and terminally mounted wheels. The apparatus is designed and constructed so that the auxiliary or towed axle and wheels and live driving axle and wheels will both carry approximately equal weight after the weight load on the truck bed exceeds a predetermined weight load. When the load is removed from the truck bed the drive axle spring raises the truck frame which in turn raises the truck bed causing the auxiliary or towed axle to raise relative to the live or driving axle.

action allows the auxiliary or towed axle and mounted wheels to ride free of the highway on return or empty trips- I It is-therefore a principal object of this invention to provide a novel and improved truck bed attachment for improving the weight distribution on loaded truck beds.

" The apparatus comprising this invention is so designed and constructed to permitthe wheels to walk over uneven terrain" and yetstill maintain the proper distributed weight differential at all Accordingly, it is a further object of this invention to provide truck apparatus which when installed will efiect considerable savings, in tires and wheels.

. It is a'further object of this invention to provide greater economy in operating and maintenance cost for trucks making frequent loaded and unloaded trips.

Further, the apparatus comprising this invention per- 'mits the efiective use of a longer truck bed on a smaller truck allowing an increase in pay load while at the same time meeting the load requirements of state highway authorities with respect to types of trucks. Still further, it is understood'that the teachings of this invention are adaptable for utilization with various type trucks designed for hauling various type loads.

In certain sections of the country, truckers, particularly pulpwoodhaulers, have resorted ond or towed axle directly to the truck frame to the rear of the live or driving axle to increase the length of the to welding a secposition;

2,943,865 Patented July 5,

truck bed. It will readily .be understood that such rigid arrangement is very unsatisfactory on uneven terrain and therefore it is oftennecessary that these modified trucks be towed by means of tractors to the highway leading to the market when loaded. I I

The apparatus comprising this invention of course can be utilized as a truck bed attachment or maybe constructed as original'truck equipment. f

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter describedahd claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming, a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to'like parts throughout, and in which: E

Figure 1 is an elevational plan view of a portion of a truck bed frame utilizing the teachings of this invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantiallyjalong the plane 2-2 of Figure 1; I V 'Figure 3 is a sectional view similar to the view of Figure 2 showingthe truck bed frame in-the unloaded Figure 4' is a sectional view the plane 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a sectional View the plane 55 of Figure 1; and

taken substantially along Figure 6 is'a perspective view of the related'spring housing and tow bar.

1 the bottom 101 'With continuing reference to the drawings, numeral-.10 generally represents the truck bed frame (that is, the sill or flame rack) which is removably bolted to the truck frame (not shown) of a conventional truck. The truck of course would .have a conventional diflferential gear system 12 actuated through driving means 14 for rotating axle 16 carried in axle housing 18; Springs 20 are supported from the truck frame and are held relative to the axle housing 18 by a pair of U-shaped clamps 22 and 24. A cross-member 26 connects the U-shaped clamps 22 and 24 below the axle housing 18. A pair of nuts 28 and 30 maintain the cross-member 26 properly positioned below the axle housing 18. A saddle 32 properly aligns the U-shaped clamps relative to the spring 20 and axle 18.

An equalizing bar 34 is pivotally connected to the truck bed frame 10 by a rotatable shaft 36 which extends transversely to the frame 10. The equalizing bar includes two portions designated as Y37 and 38. I Since the operation of the 'two portions is identical, reference will be made I by bolt 54 and nut 56v so as to pivot relativeto link 58,

The link. 58 is further pivotally spring housing 62. The series of springs 64 between a bolted connection 66 and a bolted connection to link 68 at 70. The link 68 is further fixed to the spring housing 62 at 72.

Thesprings are maintained adjacent a towed axle housing 74 by means of U-shaped clamps 76 and 78. A cross-member 801's held by nuts 82 and 84, properly positioning the towed axle housing 74 and clamps and spring together. The towed axle 86 passes through the towed axle housing 74 and rotatably connects a pair of wheels 90 and 92. Y

A towing frame in the form of a trough including a plurality of sides as at 94, 96, 98 and 100 and a bottom 101 is welded to the truck bed frame 10 and is of course rigidly fixed thereto. The sides 94, 96, 98 and 100 and support a flanged plate 102 which is cp ne esh t 6.9} to a taken-substantially along pivotally connected at spring housing 62 supports a 7 by bolts 104 and 106 to -a which carries" a' shaft 112.

7 ports therearound iig'id SL P-99ftlhetweenthelcollarjlldandlheltowg rbar l lfi. Particu1arly' referringltojiigure Idiheitowa pivots the equalizing bar-about :the pivot: p -The pivot point 52 and the:towed faxleififil will 7 32f Since the pivot point mat-telyeight inches.

bolted to therbottom ,101.

U-shaped frame member 110 a collar 1'14 which is weldedto a towngle portion .v-1-1.8r is providethfor addi jaguar 1-16 whichmay'belas haped jisrwelded toganiangle bracket 120' which isin turn welded .to thel's pring housing masa zzl now be apparent. Initially ieferri ng lto 3.1.th'e

d position with It will' furtherrbe apparent thatrthetowed axletfidris isnffii f truck bed frame 10, the shaft 36wi1l be carried :substam tial1,y vert ca ly i;downw rdly' -.=as -,the' amok :fiame ;de-

pressed on springs 20. r The downwardiforceion th sh-aft th ough ;anEapproximatel'y arcuate path aboutpivo ffarjirom' pivot point 42' as 1pivotwpoint 56;:if ;a particular :load depresses :the truck bed'tframe ltlfonr-inehes, the :pivot point 52-must :necessafily-be depressed zapproxir Asspivotpointi52 is" depressed eight inches ,Zthe towed axle "86 is'likewise'depressed approximately this distancalsoi that the Wheel 'comeszin contact with-the ground :87 distributing ther'loadon thewheels' The loaded frame is shownin 'Fig ureZQ Asthe loaded iruckjis driven, the driving force provided toithe' live axle 16:is conveyed to the frame. Further, the driving :force conveyed through thebolted members 94-,f96, -98 and 100 to the towing bar 116 which tows the spring the towed axle 8'6' is correspondingly towed as the axle housing 74 is pulled through theclamps 7 6 and 78 cross-member 80. As is apparent from-Figure 3, the tow bar 1116 :ispivotally related to the shaft 112 by collars 114*sothe tow'bar 116 may assume the inclined position i j of -F-ig ure} -when the equalizing bar'assumesits normally inclined posi'tion when the truck' -franie isunloaded.

The shaft'llz rotatably sup- 7 may dd e the wheel as .517 to drive thettruek frame 52 is approximately tw cezns The plate F102 is -bolted, as

2,943,865 i g g r 4' pivotally connecting .said bar to said live truck axle, said pivotal connection in alignment with said live axle,isaid a bar terminally and pivotally carrying a towed axleremote from said liveaxle, said resilient suspension associated with said live axle being of sufiicient strength to raise 7 saidlbed when in an unloaded condition relative to said a bed will be raised to ineew a e t gcieutlyraised ofi the groundso that unlevel terrain will the distributedweight or an-unloadejdgbed comprism i 7 housing 62 through thewelded'joints as" 12;; Of'course,

. .a "towed axlefirmote from said; hv

live axle whereby 831d plvot point between said bar and elevate said towed axle relative 'to 7 said liveaxle V7 i I 2. A truck :bed attachment for tdistributing the weight of a loaded bed over-a greater number" of wheels th'an g the distributed weightof amunloaded bed-comprising pended live axlefa rigid elongatedle'iualizing bar pivotally supported by. said truck bedintermediate the 'ends thereof, means. terniinally'and'pivotally connecting a firsti end of said equalizing bar to said-live axle, said pivotal connection in alignment with saidlive axle, a 'secondfend of said equalizing barrterminally and combination with atruck frame having a res'ilientlyjsus-i l 'IeS'ih suspension associated with said l1v e aidei being s 1cientlstrength to raise saidbe'd whenin ed dition relative to said'live axle whereby. saidlpivot I between said bar.,and bedv bejrais'ed to evate said owed 'axle relative toisaid live vaxleL- A truck bed attachmentifor distributmg of;a loaded bed over a greater 'KnuinberofLiVhe combination with agtruck frame havinga .resilientlyis pended Jive axle, ;a rigid elongated equalizing;

otally supportedby -'said-truckabedlintermediaterme "thereof, means terminally and pivotallyconnectingkaifirst end of 'said equalizing bar; 110383.511; live axle,- said pivotal connection in alignment with said live raxle; asecond of said-equalizing bar terminally-and,pivotallymarryiiig a towed axle remote from said I j portedgfrom said bed, said-tow bar communicating with a housing for said towed axle, said resilient-suspension associated with saidlive axle being ofsnfiicient-strength to raise said bedwhen in an unloaded condition relative to said :live axlewhereby sa'd pivot point between said :bar and bed will be raised to elevatesaid towed-t axlearelw :tive to said live axle. j 4. ,A- truck bed attachment fordistributingthe weight :of a loaded bed cover a greater number vof wheel s; the distributed weight of,an--unloaded:bed compnising in' combination with atruck frame'havingra resiliently; sus

wpended live axle; a rigidgelongated'iequalizingibarep ve It is to be noted that the trucljrfbed with'theiapparatus' V izltlef devicewill be 'readilyunderstood andfiirtherexplana tieh is believedto be unnecessary.- However, since-slu irie'mus -niQdificationS and changes readily occur to those skilledintheit is'notdesired tolimit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and

accordingly all suitable modifieations and equivalents' may he resorted to, fallin'g within theSQOP 'Offl1 eiinv n n' a asclaimedf V i a 'Whatjs claimedas newisas follows' A +1; A' t'ruck': bed attachment for distributing the-weight combinationwith a truck frame'having a resilientlysus pendedj hve H g 7 w rew biased fiuck me s te m n y nd otally supported by said truck :bed intermediateithe ends v 'thereoflsa pairrof links terminally :and :pivotally r-carried by said equalizing bar, 'nected to said live' axle, is'aidlpivotalgconnectiontin gn-, 'ment with said live axle,.asecondiof saidzlinkscprvotallx pivotallyaw 'lilf l g f 'e'nt j V a first of said links pivotally carrying a towed axle, said' resilient suspension g with said live :axle' -being bflj'suflicienb strengthtztoizitiise saidbedwhen in anunloaddiconditton relativerto saidlive axle whereby said pivot. point between; saidi-bariand j bed will be raisedtto elevates'ai said'live'axle. Y T 5. A truck bed attachment of a loaded bed over a greaternumberrofwheels than 'the distributed weight ofan unlo'aded bed-iornprisingi'in combination with a truck fiame having ajresiliently I pended liver axle, a rigid 'elongat'etl' equalizing' ba' ply? many supported by said t'ruck' bed intermediate ihean se o vsmanerda ivmo thereof, a pair of links terminally and pivotallycarrled v 76 of aloaded bed over a greater number of wheels-than "the distributed weightoffan' unloaded bed-compri'sing in 'axle, 'a'-r 1gid elongated i equaliring bar piv- :by said-equalizing bar, a firs't-of saidlinks ipivota y nect'e'd to vsaid live axle,- saidpivotal? eonnectio allgli -f' ment-with saidglive-axle, ';aseco1id'foflsaid 1iuks pivotally carrying'a towed axle, a tow bar su'pport'e froni 'said bed, said tow bar-rigidly communicating wi a housin'gi for said towed axlefsaid resilient suspensionzassociatediwith 'said live axle beingiofsuflicient strength ittyl raise'said foed when in an unloaded condition relative'to'tsaidz live whereby said pivot point between: said:- banand: bed

be raised to elevate said towed axle.

6. A truck bed attachment for distributing the weight of a loaded bed over a greater number of wheels than the distributed Weight of an unloaded bed comprising in combination with a truck frame having a resiliently suspended live axle, a rigid elongated equalizing bar pivotally supported by said truck bed intermediate the ends thereof, means terminally and pivotally connecting a first end of said equalizing bar to said live axle so that said first end is lower than the pivotal support point between the bar and the bed thereby normally biasing said bar in an inclined direction, said pivotal connection in alignment with said live axle, a second end of said equalizing bar pivotally carrying a towed axle, said resilient suspension associated with said live axle being of suflicient strength to raise said bed when in an unloaded condition relative to said live axle whereby said pivot point between said bar and bed will be raised to elevate said towed axle relative to said live axle.

7. A truck bed attachment for distributing the weight of a loaded bed over a greater number of wheels than the distributed weight of an unloaded bed comprising in combination with a truck frame having a resiliently suspended live axle, a rigid elongated equalizing bar pivotally supported by said truck bed intermediate the ends thereof, means terminally and pivotally connecting a first end of said equalizing bar to said live axle so that said first end is lower than the pivotal support point between the bar and the bed thereby normally biasing said bar in an inclined direction, said pivotal connection in alignment with said live axle, a second end of said equalizing bar pivotally carrying a towed axle, a tow bar supported from said bed, said tow bar rigidly communicating with a housing for said towed axle, said resilient suspension associated with said live axle being of sufiicient strength axle relative to said live bar pivotally carrying to raise said bed when in an unloaded condition relative to said live axle whereby said pivot point between said bar and bed will be raised to elevate said towed axle relative to said live axle.

8. A truck bed attachment for of a loaded bed over a greater number of wheels than the distributed weight of an unloaded bed comprising in combination with a truck frame having a resiliently suspended live axle, a rigid elongated equalizing bar pivotally supported by said truck bed intermediate the ends thereof, means terminally and pivotally connecting a first end of said equalizing bar to said live axle sothat said first end is lower than the pivotal support point between the bar and the bed thereby normally biasing said bar in an inclined direction, said pivotal connection in alignment with said live axle, a second end of said equalizing a towed axle, a shaft dependingly supported from said bed rigid with said bed, a tow bar pivotally carried on said shaft and rigidly communicating with a housing for said towed axle, said resilient suspension associated with said live axle being of sufiicient strength to raise said bed when in an unloaded condition relative to said live axle whereby said pivot point between said bar and bed will be raised to elevate said towed axle relative to said live axle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 810,722 Cook Ian. 23, 1906 1,404,631 Molesworth Jan. 24, 1922 1,857,249 Marcum May 10, 1932 1,926,273 Fageol Sept. 12, 1933 FOREIGN PATENTS 129,795 Australia Nov. 3, 1948 distributing the weight 

